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NASL FC Edmonton

Eddies Open Fall Season with Decisive 4-0 Victory

July 5, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
FC Edmonton News Release


EDMONTON, AB - FC Edmonton kicked off the 2015 North American Soccer League Season (NASL) against San Antonio Scorpions, July 5 at Shell Place in Fort McMurray with authority, capitalizing on an early penalty kick from Sadi Jalali and never looking back en route to a 4-0 victory.

In addition to Jalali, the Eddies received also received goals from Lance Laing and Hanson Boakai, while Eddies goalkeeper Matt VanOekel registered a clean sheet between the woodwork.

It didn't take long to register the opening goal of the match, as Jamaican international Laing was fouled in the second minute to give the Eddies an early penalty kick opportunity. Jalali was able to step up and calmly slot home his first goal in the NASL.

Edmonton kept on the front foot for the majority of the opening half, producing several promising rushes that fell just shy of a final ball. They would head into the break with a 1-0 advantage.

Down a goal, San Antonio opened up the second half with urgency, carrying the play into the attacking third for the opening 20 minutes of the half. Despite their inspired play, it was the Eddies who would convert on a second penalty kick opportunity from Laing on 68 minutes.

Edmonton then notched their third goal of the match five minutes later, when midfielder Boakai's second-effort strike found the back of the net. The goal is the first in league play for Boakai.

Ten minutes later, the Eddies closed out their goal-scoring run with a second tally from Laing. The Eddies free kick specialist was once again up to the task from just outside the 18 yard box, sending a perfectly-placed, arcing shot to the back of the net for the decisive 4-0 lead.

Forced to play with nine men for the remainder of the second half after several red cards were issued, the Scorpions would be unable to respond to a potent Eddies offence, as the home side collected their first clean sheet victory in 2015.

"I was very pleased with everyone in the lineup today," FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller stated. "It was a really good day for the Eddies and a much-needed three points. Hopefully we are in for a very exciting Fall Season."

The Eddies head on the road against Fort Lauderdale for the first of three-straight away matches, July 11 at Lockhart Stadium. Kick-off in the match is set for 5:30 p.m. MT. The next Eddies home match will take place July 26 versus Atlanta Silverbacks. For tickets, please click HERE. For more information please visit www.fcedmonton.com.

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